Your First Christmas

Hello my love,

I wish I hadn't let so much time pass since my last note to you. I just wanted to make sure I told you about your First Christmas. I'll try to write again after Christmas to tell you more.
Today is Christmas Eve. I'm at work right now, at the Jacobs Civil office. Obviously I'm not currently working very hard. I've been working in this office since September, when the Courthouse was finished. I hope to someday show you my name that's etched in the new Courthouse downtown. Anyways, I've been working here part time, to help pay the bills. I really do love this job, and I think God has really blessed me with this opportunity. I'm home everyday by 11:30, so most of my day is spent with you. I love being there for your life, and while you experience the world around you.
Okay, on to Christmas. The season has been good to us. We started it all off with a wonderful Thanksgiving at the lake house. You had all the Grandparents there, and both families. It's always fun with everyone in one room. We also experienced your first Grand Illumination, in Williamsburg, Va. That was fun. You slept the whole time, until the fireworks started. That was interesting. You were fine watching them, until they stopped, then it was dark and you didn't like that. Overall we had a great time there.
We also did an Angel Tree night with the Richmond Geeks Group, which you are now a member of. Good luck ever buying a pc again. It's mac for you for life. Anyway, that night was so great. We had 13 people there, and we shopped for 8 Angels. I hope you will always be generous to others, and know just how blessed you are.
Just last week, we did the Tacky Lights tour, which your Daddy set up on a map. We had Michelle from Small group and your Grammy Pam for the night and drove all around the Southside looking at Extreme Christmas Lights. I guess this year the big thing is to coordinate the lights with music. I wonder what you'll be doing when you decorate your house someday?
Last weekend, we went up to NoVa to visit Grandma & Grampa Prock, and your Aunt Laura. We visited your friends at Backstreet Cafe, spent a few minutes with your Cousin Mackenzie, went to Centreville Presbyterian Church, went to the movies (saw 7 pounds) and checked out some more lights in Alexandria. It was a great time, definitely in the Christmas spirit.
Tonight we have Christmas Eve service at the Byrd Theatre. Your daddy and I are in charge of bringing hot cocoa. After the service, they're playing "It's a Wonderful Life". I'm not sure if we'll stay for that, but either way, it should be a fun night.
Then, in the morning, we're going to open our gifts, and you better believe we'll have a video camera going for most of it. We'll join the others at the lake in the late morning.
Like I said, I'll try to get back on to tell you more after this weekend.
I love you so much Lily Grace. More and more everyday.

Happy 4 Months Lily

Wow, another 2 months have past.

Sweetie, you are AMAZING!! More beutiful every day, and a greater blessing every moment. I love you so much. As the picture on the wall states it so well, "Before you were conceived, I wanted you..before you were born, I loved you...and before you were here an hour, I would die for you." It is so true! Not only are you the most beutiful baby I've ever seen, I absolutely fall in love with your personality more and more every day.

Top 5 things I love about you:
1) When I take you out of the carseat, I love the way your butt stays stays in the same position, and your legs curl up on me. It makes me giggle every time.

2) Your smile!!! I love that it takes nothing at all to make you smile. I just look at you and you grin. I hope you never lose that smile. It makes my heart melt every time.

3) Okay, it's not near as often of an occurance, but I just love the frown too. Man, do you have the cutest lips when they puff out in your little sad face. You've got the blue eyes, instead of brown, but they can still get you anything you want.

4) I love the chatterbox in you. I'm sure I'll change my mind in about a year, but for now, I love hearing you talk, or at least making sounds. We're pretty much only on vowell sounds, but sometimes we've made it up to 3 syllable sounds. You love hearing the sound of your own voice, and I love it too. It is SO cute!!

5) I love the way you hold my hand or finger when I'm feeding you the bottle. Of course, I think it's because your smart enough to know that you don't want me to move it away from your mouth, so your keeping guard, but I just love it anyway.

I guess I could name about a million other things that I love about you, but those are my favorites right now. I am enjoying every minute of your life right now. I love watching you develop every day and learn new things. We've started putting you in front of a mirror, and sometimes you laugh, and other times, you get upset. I wonder if you realize what you're looking at? I suppose there are times when I want to cry too when I look in the mirror! :) Hmm, so much to take in, and experience for the first time. I don't want to miss one minute of that!

I love you so much Lily!

HAPPY 2 month BIRTHDAY

Wow, What an amazing two months this has been. You're hear, and you are so precious. I can't begin to describe how amazing this has been. Okay, first of all, you are so beautiful. I knew I would love you, but no one thought you would be so adorable. Your friends and family were actually surprised.

It's so funny to read the last blog. So much happened that night and the next day. First, I finally got the call from the hospital at about midnight. By 1 am we were admitted. All was going well with the pitosin drip and contractions were starting to get pretty serious. About 4pm on the 7th, I asked for a epidural to help with the pain. Unfortunately, you weren't making much progress in coming out, so Dr. Zechman informed us we needed a Cesarian section. That was scary news, as it was even higher risk, than a normal delivery. We went into surgury about 8pm, and at 9:30, you graced us with your presence. The family couldn't wait to see you, but you were taken immediately to the nursery to be cleaned up. I started to wake up from surgery, since I was put under anestesia. They wheeled me into CCU, cardiac care unit. About 11pm, I started to wake up, and they brought you into my room so that I could set eyes on the most beautiful sight. Your daddy, and both Grandma's were in the room with me, so we all got to hold you. What a miracle. I couldn't begin to explain that moment.

On a funny note, when I woke, I asked the Dr. Zechman if I was a Mom. She smiled and said yes, then proceeded to tell me that I had a beautiful red haired, blue eyed girl. Hmmm, your dad and I both have brown eyes, and I have some read in my hair, but only when I get it from a box. Can you explain that? He he. Well, genetically surprising or not, you are the most beautiful girl in the world. Everyone agrees!!

So, two months have passed. You've breathed the air in this world and spent these days looking at your little world which God has created for you. I hope you like it. You've begun smiling a lot, and you're already a little chatterbox. :) Making lots of sounds. As of this last weekend, you've actually begun sleeping through the night, or atleast for a reasonable amount of time. We're hoping you continue to sleep well.

The breastfeeding didn't last but a couple of weeks. Your Mommy was pretty depressed when she failed to produce enough, but you seem to be taking to the formula well. You do like to eat, and everytime we stop, you let us know how you feel about that. I think we'll finally get to up your dose to 4 oz. at your next dr. appointment. By the way, at your 1 mo. appt., you were in the 50 percentile for body weight and height, and in the 75 % for head size. :) he he. I guess that's a sign of how smart you'll be.

Well, my love, Daddy's rubbing your head right now, and calming you down, since he just finished feeding you. He is such a good Daddy.

Good night my love. Sweet dreams.

Can we say ANXIOUS

Well, it's 2 1/2 hours past the time I was supposed to be admitted to the hospital. Apparently, there's no room at the Inn for us. :( I guess it's a blessing, to be sitting in our living room, instead of hudled around a hospital bed. Your Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Laura are all here waiting with us. The bags are sitting here ready to go. We're just waiting to get a call from the hospital, that our room has opened up. Until that moment, your Daddy is teaching your Grandparents how to play Madden football on the playstation. What a great picture this is. Your Grandma is holding the remote with dear life, trying to figure out what she's doing. It's great!!

Well, I'm just going to keep sitting here, waiting....twiddling my thumbs and waiting. Did I mention how patient I am at waiting. :) I just can't wait to see you.

24 Hours till Showtime

I hope you're ready Sweetie,

In just about 23 hours, we're heading to the hospital to be admitted. The Doctor will try to get me dilated, and then Thursday morning, they'll wake us up early for a Pitosin drip (to induce me). By this time Thursday you should be breathing in life on the outside. I can't wait to meet you. There are so many people that are praying for you to have a healthy birthday. I know God will be there with us the whole time.

As for tonight, your Daddy and I are going to go hit the town & celebrate the upcoming 48 hours.

Much Love to you Lily Grace,
see you real soon,
Mom

One Week & Two Days Away

I still can't believe it. Your arrival is so near!

The nursery is long done, the pack n' play is installed, and the car seat is already in the car. We're ready for you lil' one!! Come on out anytime. I'm still nervous about the actual delivery. I mean, let's face it, the idea of getting a watermelon to fit through a pencil is pretty scary isn't it? But, every other Mother has made it through, and this lil' mother has God watching over us. We'll be okay, you and me!!

Your Dad is just amazing. Yesterday he took me to the park, and we took the girls with us. Cookie & Cocoa loved it. Your dad and I played on the swings while the girls ran & played (the most exercise they've had in a long time). Your dad couldn't resist testing out the slides with the girls. First up was Cookie, down the big tubular slide that makes several loops. Now, I resisted this, but your Dad insisted, so I stood at the bottom ready to catch her. Wow, she must have gained wings, because her little 15 pound body flew down that slide so fast, and landed right into my arms. The poor thing. I felt so bad for her, but, I think she got over it a few minutes later and we did have a little chuckle over it. Next down, was your dad, who didn't have wings. He actually had to shift himself around a few times, to get his body down the slide. Now, that was pretty humorous. Cocoa took her turn, but on a much smaller, and straight slide. Unfortunately, I don't think she liked it much no matter the size.
We walked by the water and watched people playing discgolf, a new fandangled sport using a frisbee. It was so nice to just walk hand in hand talking and enjoying nature. It won't be long before we're taking you there, to play on the swings and go down the slides. :) Oh what good times we have to look forward to.
Your Daddy and I have already discussed when to take you on your first trip to the Magic Kingdom. Oh, you will love it. I'm so excited to see your face the first time you walk down Main Street USA and the first time you get to see your favorite Disney Character. :) I was always a huge Winnie the Pooh Fan, but I wonder who your favorites will be.

Well Lily, we're ready. If you decide to wait as long as possible, then at the very latest, I look forward to meeting you next Thursday. :) I'll be the one crying with joy.

I love you.

17 DAYS TILL YOUR ARRIVAL

That is...if you hold out that long. I can't believe the time is almost near. Yesterday, your Daddy and I had the second half of our Childbirth class. 6 hours in a classroom is brutal, but I think we both feel a little more comfortable with what is going to be happening. I am so anxious for that day, and yet, we're both so nervous that we won't be good parents. We will love you like crazy, I know that. I just don't know what the day to day is going to be like with a new addition in the family. Please God, we're going to need you with us for all of this.

You do have an amazing friends group that you will be born into. You had so many people at your Baby Shower, it was overwhelming. I can't believe how many clothes and bibs and everything else you have received. What a blessing. Your Aunt Sister put on an awesome party, and everyone there was so generous. The running comment is that I'm going to be able to change you 5 times a day, and still not repeat any outfit. So, feel free to spit up or poop all over them. :) Well, then again, I could just change you and you could avoid doing those things. :) That would be great!! Okay

Well, so much to say, but right now, I need to get back to working. Only 8 more days here in the office.

I love you sweetie. I will write to you again real soon.

SURPRISE

Holy Cow, was I ever surprised!!!

Last night your Grandma was coming in to town to stay for a couple of nights due to her work. I was really looking forward to it. Well, come to find out, as soon as she arrived, she asked me to go outside and help her bring stuff in from the car. The "stuff" she was referring to was your Aunt Becky (my best friend) in Arizona and her mom. I couldn't believe my eyes. I just stared at them for a few seconds, and then I think the first words were something like Holy Cow! (changed from original for your viewing). :)

What an awesome way to start the new year, and what a perfect Baby shower this will be. Your Aunt Becky is almost 28 weeks pregnant right now, so I really would never have expected her to be able to come out here. Your cousin Grace Maureen is expected to arrive somewhere around March 21st, just shortly after you.

Today, I had to go in to work, but I'm leaving in about an hour for yet another Dr. appointment and then to play hookie, go home & enjoy the company. I can't wait.

For yet another Surprise, Phil Grimes brought me in a huge gift bag with your name on it. I'll open it later, but what a sweet gift from him, Janet & Amy. They are so kind.

Okay, one more surprise for the day. Hopefully this will be it, because I'm not sure how much more I can handle. The guys (my elderly male co-workers), threw me a Baby Shower today. Complete with cake, a card, and a gift (the high chair from our registry). For a bunch of older men, that's pretty impressive.

We are so blessed with wonderful people in this world. I can't wait for you to meet them.